Using Immersive Simulations to Develop Real-world Skills

Conference Archive

DevLearn 2016 Conference & Expo - November 18, 2016

Keith Quinn

Learning Technologies Manager Scottish Social Services Council

Simulations can provide learners with safe environments in which
to learn how to use new skills through practice and failure. When done well, they
give people the opportunity to get things wrong and learn from that experience
in a way that has little to no risk involved. They can also be deeply
immersive, replicating the actual experience of doing something in a realistic
and engaging way. Because of this, they can be incredibly effective tools for
learning. But how do you create simulations on your own, particularly if you’re
on a tight budget?

In this session, you’ll explore both the learning theory and
practical application that you’ll need to start designing simulations that build
workplace skills. You’ll learn how to apply game design techniques and
architectures to learning, as well as how they can contribute to your learning
goals. You’ll also discuss examples of real simulations that are used in the
workplace now and look at ideas of where simulations may go in the future to
increase their effectiveness.

In this session,
you will learn:

How to design immersive and engaging
simulations

How applying aspects of game design can
make your simulations more effective

About low-cost technologies that are
available to help you create simulations yourself

How to address the challenges of
delivering simulations on mobile devices

How to design simulations for an
audience that has limited time available for learning